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The acute phase of back pain
Acute pain is understood to arise from
damaged tissues and there is a risk that
acute pain may develop into chronic pain,
which is associated with changes to the
central nervous system.4 During this
transitional phase (where tissue is healing to
the presence of chronic pain) exists a
~4-month window of opportunity to prevent
this transition through pharmacological,
psychological and social interventions.4 It
has been shown in educational programs
that carefully selected and presented
information about back pain can have a
positive effect on patients' beliefs and
long-term clinical outcomes.4 Initial advice
on management should include
recommendations to:5
• remain active
• adopt gentle exercises, such as
walking and swimming
• not stay in one position for more than
20--30 minutes
• have a positive attitude and try to relax
• take an over-the-counter analgesic
at the first instance of pain.
Simple analgesics
A summary of recommendations from
an Australian and 14 international clinical
guidelines for the treatment of low back pain
suggest that paracetamol should be first
line.6 Second-line medications include
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs), also consider muscle relaxants
and opioids as co-medication for pain relief.6
Vicious pain-sleep cycle
Studies of patients with low back pain show
that these patients report more disturbed
and unrefreshing sleep and had longer
awakenings.7 This sleep fragmentation may
lower the pain threshold, which may in turn
contribute to increased pain, creating a
vicious cycle.8,9
Mersyndol in back pain
management
Mersyndol is indicated for the symptomatic
relief of acute moderate to severe pain,
including backache. It contains paracetamol
450 mg, codeine phosphate 9.75 mg and
doxylamine succinate 5 mg.10 The calmative
effect of doxylamine can enhance the effects
of analgesics.10
Mersyndol, through its calmative
and analgesic properties, relieves
symptoms of acute back pain,
which may help to curb the transition
to a chronic problem.4 -- 6,10,11
Mersyndol has been trusted by pharmacists
and patients for over 40 years to provide
symptomatic relief of acute moderate to
severe pain10 and Sanofi Consumer
Healthcare is strongly committed to support
the appropriate use of combination
analgesics containing codeine.
Sanofi Consumer Healthcare is also
a proud sponsor of MedsASSIST, a real-time
monitoring system designed to assist
with the appropriate supply of
codeine-based medicines.
References: 1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2014. Australia's health 2014. Australia's health series no. 14. Cat. no. AUS 178.
Canberra: AIHW. 2. Mayo Clinic. Back pain prevention. Available at http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/back-pain/basics/
prevention/con-20020797 Accessed 21 July 2016. 3. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. What are back problems? Available at http://
www.aihw.gov.au/back-problems/what-are-back-problems/ Accessed 13 July 2016. 4. Pain Australia. National Pain Strategy, 2011. 5. NPS
Medicinewise. Managing your acute low back pain. Available at http://www.nps.org.au/_ _data/assets/pdf_file/0005/255443/Managing-
your-acute-low-back-pain.pdf Accessed 3 August 2016. 6. Koes BW et al. Eur Spine J 2010;19(12):2075--94. 7. Moldofsky H. Sleep Med Rev
2001;5(5):385--96. 8. Drewes AMA-N, L. Sleep Res Online 2001;4(2):67--76. 9. Turk DC, Cohen MJ. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2010;39(6):477--90.
10. Mersyndol Product Information, October 2014. 11. de Craen AJ et al. BMJ 1996;313(7053):321--5.
depression, G6PD deficiency, breastfeeding, CYP2D6 ultrarapid metabolisers. Precautions: High doses; prolonged use; severe hepatic or renal impairment; analgesic intolerance; asthma; lactation;
use in pregnancy (Category A). Adverse effects: Anorexia, drowsiness, depression, dizziness, sweating, and others. For more information, see full PI. Reference:
1. Mersyndol Product Information, October 2014. Mersyndol® is a registered trademark of Sanofi-Aventis Australia Pty Ltd trading as Sanofi ABN 31 008 558 807.
Talavera Corporate Centre, Building D, 12--24 Talavera Rd. Macquarie Park, NSW, 2113, Australia. CHCANZ.CDLP.16.08.0739g. SSC0053. August 2016.
STOP BACK PAIN FROM
PROGRESSING FROM
ACUTE TO CHRONIC
In Australia, back problems represented the second most common long-term condition during 2011--2012.1
Although many back pain episodes are preventable,2 up to 9 in 10 Australians will suffer from low back pain
at some point in their lives.3
ADVERTORIAL MERSYNDOL
Sleep satisfaction is important to help:8,9
• manage the pain better
• provide the required energy to be as
active as possible
• perception of health and wellbeing.